The University of Yamanashi held the Kick-Off Symposium for the Global Research Institute for Energy & Environmental Neutrality (GR/EEN)
Dec 4, 2025
On December 3rd, 2025, the University of Yamanashi held a symposium at the Omura Satoshi Museum to commemorate the establishment of the Global Research Institute for Energy & Environmental Neutrality (GR/EEN), which will serve as the university’s new hub for green hydrogen research. Distinguished guests representing the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT), the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS), Yamanashi Prefecture, and the Embassy of Germany gave congratulatory speeches, and a total of 61 participants from across Japan and around the world participated in the symposium.
Professor Toshihiro Miyao of the University of Yamanashi introduced GR/EEN’s initiatives, which include plans to elevate its leading green hydrogen research in Japan to a world-class level through measures such as a top-tier researcher program, the expansion of support staff, international collaborative research with overseas universities, and the installation of advanced research facilities. The plans also include advancing the establishment of a hydrogen-based society through partnerships among industry, academia, government and finance, as well as collaboration with Fukushima University, and strengthening talent development for a carbon-neutral future.
During the keynote speeches, Professor Mehtap Oezaslan of the University of Hamburg spoke about research and policy initiatives aimed at the realization of a hydrogen society in Europe, while Professor Tetsuo Munakata of Fukushima University presented the history of Japan’s hydrogen and energy-related technology development and its future plans. Following the keynote speeches, a panel discussion was held among researchers from universities and companies in Japan, Germany, Canada, the United States, and Malaysia, focusing on the advancement of collaborative research through international partnerships and industry–academia collaboration.
Media coverage included interviews by NHK, the Yamanashi Nichinichi Shimbun and other media outlets, and the symposium was featured in an evening news program as well as on their websites.
The symposium reinforced GR/EEN’s vision to become a research hub connecting the local region, Japan, and the global community, and to pursue a sustainable green hydrogen society through close collaboration among researchers and stakeholders.
With the support of MEXT’s “Program for Forming Japan’s Peak Research Universities (J-PEAKS)”, the University of Yamanashi will continue to strengthen research capabilities and foster innovation by expanding its partnerships.
